6/ SEPTEMBER 2023 THE RIDER MY SPIN: Tips To Improve Your Learning


to share. A bunch of us were training and practising in the arena as usual and I had just completed my turn. I stood atop my horse resting in the corner. The next thing I knew, I had woken up on a couch! Ap- parently, I have fallen asleep on my horse and had fallen off while still asleep! Ah, those were the days!


3. It takes Time to Learn the Necessary Skills. youtube to be like a university.


5. Developing Skills Through Experience. Showing is both an art and a science. I remem-


ber those first shows. Thanks to the Ontario Reining Horse Association, I was able to show ‘in my own back yard’. They only had the 1 beginner class in those days - not like today with so many choices for new people. It was just the ticket! I was able to get the show experience and confidence I needed before trying other shows in the states.


6. Assist the Experts(ie. Judges). One of the opportunities I have is to volunteer


Photo Source: Pixabay By Susan Dahl. One of the best pieces of advice I got from a


In Whatever Field of Study I’ve seen people who have spent a


fortune and those who have not and the process is still the same. It’s like the ole saying: “you get out of it what you put into it”.


Here are some suggestions to im-


prove your learning in whatever aspect of life it suits.


1. Get good equipment ie. a good expe- rienced horse. I remember other riders talking about


getting so well trained of a horse that ‘any monkey could ride it.’. Then you are pretty much guaranteed to win. I used to think so too. But I’ve experienced it dif- ferently. Yes, you do get a lot of wins riding


that well trained horse. Yes, a good horse makes a good rider. But you also have to


be willing to put in the time and practice to learn how to get the best out of that horse. My main goal for competing was always to see how well I was progressing from the last show.


2. Get the best Mentor (ie. Trainer) you can find. When I was first learning how to rein (for the 2nd time in the ‘90s) and eventually train my own, I found the best coach in Ontario at that time. So I spent al- most every weekend at the coach’s place during the spring to fall time frame. I always called it ‘Reiner Immersion’. I have some of my best memories from that time. I remember a funny story about me that I want


Photo Source: Pixabay


few people was to learn the whole process or program first from someone before incorporating other peo- ple’s processes into your own. It took time. It was great advice. Once, I learned a complete program from my coach, I then knew ‘the whole picture’ so to speak. I could then learn how to improve and cus- tomize the program or process to suit me. One big example for me, is that I’m not very tall.


I have short legs. Most teenagers are taller than me. So I had to learn to use spurs well in order to really communicate to my horse.


4. Learn from Other Professional Sources. When I was developing my reining skills, I


would attend as many clinics as I could. I also bought as many VHS tapes as I could. They were from greats like Shawn Flarida, Bob Avila, Tim McQuay etc. This tip wouldn’t be complete without mention-


ing the fact that today when I’m researching and learning from professionals or experienced people, I binge watch a ton of youtube channels. I consider


for my reining club. Our judges require an assistant or ‘scribe’ as we call them to record the scores as the judge is scoring each maneuver for the contestant’s run. I started to scribe over 20 years ago to not only help the club but also to keep on top of the changes in the rules. It also allowed me to see first hand who the judges were scoring our runs so that I would know best as well. Perhaps that is possible for your too.


7. Upward and Onward. For me, the last tip is one of moving up. As our


skills progress, we need to better our tools if we want to progress even more. I just joined a prestigious art business school that I hope will be beneficial in the future.


Good luck in your advancement of learning. Putting my spin on improve your learning.


Reinersue @KISS Reiners


About Susan Dahl Susan Dahl, ORHA/NRHA past multiple champion, writer, blogger, author and clinician, retired certified professional horse trainer. Owner of Foundation Reining Training Centre in Durham, ON. She special- izes in effective horsemanship, and reining. For more information on her services: judging, clinics or resale horses, please contact her on facebook, her website: www.reinersuehorseman ship.com or reinersue@hot- mail.com


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